Key holder



y 8, 1957 M. CASTRO 2,793,523

KEY HOLDER Filed Jan. 12, 1954 1 Fi wz United States Patent KEY HOLDER Manuel Castro, Canton, Ohio Application January 12, 1954, Serial No. 403,474

.6 Claims. 0!. 70-=-456) The invention or discovery relates to key holders for holding one or more keys, each key having a holed head of disklike formation such as is included in the key of a usual cylinder lock for an automobile door and ignition, or for a house or ofiice door, or for other closure or mechanism.

To have satisfactory characteristics, such a key holder should:

(1) Conceal the identification number of each key on the holder;

(2) Be small in size and light in weight;

(3) Make no sound when loaded with one or more keys, and carried in the pocket or other receptacle, and when in use;

(4) Be of a construction rendering it impossible for a key to be lost from the holder;

(5) Keep the keys on the holder always in order, so as to make it easy to choose any particular key for use;

(6) Help by its form the operation of a key on the holder when used to operate the lock fitted by the key;

(7) Maintain its relative position with respect to any par ticular key on the holder when the key is inserted in the fitting keyhole;

(8) Enable disengagement of one or more keys from the holder without disengaging the keys remaining on the holder;

(9) Hold one or a number of'keys; and

(10) Be made preferably in one piece, or by a limited number of separate parts or assemblies, so as to be durable in use.

As known to the present inventor, key holders generally available prior to the present improvements have each been lacking in a number of the foregoing enumerated characteristics.

Accordingly, the objects of the present invention or discovery include the provision of a new and improved key holder construction, preferably having each and all of the foregoing enumerated characteristics.

Afurther objectof the present invention 'or discovery is to provide such a new and improved key holder construction having a simplified construction and arrangement of parts, permitting economical manufacture, and minimized cost to the user.

The foregoing and other objects are attained by the key holder construction, parts, combinations, and subcombinations, which comprise the present invention or .discovery, and the nature of which is set forth in the following general statement, and preferred embodiments of which together with their-mode of useare set forth in the following description, and which are particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in'the appended claims forming part hereof.

The nature of the present invention or discovery may be stated in general terms as embodying in oneform, a

key holder construction including adjacent portions oras- ,sernblies, each including a plurality of members, the adjacent portions or assemblies having a connection with each other permitting swinging of the portions or as semblies with respect to each other between closed or interengaged positions, and open or disengaged positions, the closed positions being the normal key holding positions, and the open positions being those permitting addition or removal of one or more keys from the holder.

By way of example, embodiments of the new and im proved key holder construction and component parts of the present invention or discovery are illustrated in the accompanying drawing forming part hereof, in which;

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a first embodiment of the improved key holder construction of the present invention or discovery, the adjacent portions or assemblies being shown in their closed positions;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view thereof, looking in the direction of the arrows 2-2, Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a rear elevational view thereof, looking in the direction of the arrows 3--3, Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of a one-piece blank from which the first embodiment of the improved k-ey holder construction is preferably made;

Fig. 5 is a front elevational view of a second embodiment of the improved key holder construction hereof, the adjacent portions or assemblies being shown in their closed positions;

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view thereof, looking in the direction of the arrows 6-6, Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6, showing the adjacent portions or assemblies in their open positions, and keys loaded on one of the adjacent portions or assemblies;

Fig. 8 is a plan view of a one-piece blank from which one of the adjacent portions or assemblies of the second embodiment of the improved key holder construction is preferably made;

Fig. 9 is a plan view of a one-piece blank from which the other adjacent portion or assemblyof the second embodiment of the improved key holder construction is preferably made;

Fig. 10 is a front elevational view of a third embodiment of the improved key holder construction hereof, the adjacent portions or assemblies being shown in their closed positions;

Fig. 11 is aside elevational view thereof, lookingin the direction of the arrows 11-11, Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 11, showing the adjacent portions or assemblies in their open positions; and

Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 10, showing a number of keys mounted on the third embodiment of .the .improved key holder, one of the keys being shown in extended position ready for use, and the other keys being show in semi-closed positions in the holder.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawing. I

A first embodiment of the improved key holder of the present invention or discovery is illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, and indicated generally by 10. The improved key holder 10 has a shape which is generally that of a rectangular box, and includes a side portion 11a and a side portion 11b which are swingable: with respect to each other, and which interengage with each other, as hereinafter described in detail.

The holder side portion 11a includes an elongated side member 11a-1 which, as shown, is in the form of an elongated flat strip, one portion of which extends at right angles from a side edge of a shorter triangular back member llw-Z, which has a base end located intermediate the ends of the elongated side member Ila-1.

Beyond the triangular back member lla z there extends from one end of the elongated side member Ila- 1, a transverse key holding shank member 11a-3 which, as shown, is in the form of a flat strip having the same transverse cross section as the elongated side member Ila-1,

the wider faces of the flat strip members 1111-1 and Ila-3 being perpendicular to each other, and the edges of the flat strip members Ila-1 and 11a-3 lying in the same planes.

From the outer end of the transverse key holding shank member Ila-3, there extends a lock hook member 11:1-4 which, as shown, is a flat strip member, and has wider faces parallel with the wider faces of the side member 1111-1, and extending in the same direction from the transverse key holding shank member 1111-3.

Similarly, the holder side portion 11b includes an clongated-side member 11b-1 which, as shown, is in the form of an elongated fiat strip, one portion of which extends at right angles from the side edge of a shorter hack member 1112-2, which has a base located intermediate the ends of the elongated side member 11b-1.

Beyond the triangular back member ilb-Z there extends from one end of the side member 1111-1, a transverse key holding shank member 11b-3 which, as shown, is in theform of-a flat strip having the same transverse cross section as the elongated side member 11b-1, the wider faces of the flat strip members 1111-1 and 11b-3 being perpendicularto each other, and having the same width as the members Ila-1 and 1111-3.

The apex ends of the triangular back members 1'1a-2 and 1112-2 are connected by a spring hinge member 12 which, as shown, is in the form of a flat strip.

In the normal closed position of the interengaging holder side portions 11a and 11b, the outer wider face of the key holding shankmember 1112-3 abuts the inner wider face of the key holding shank member Ila-3, and the lock hook member 1111-4 hooks over the outer end of the side member 11b-1.

For the purposes of the present invention or discovery, the holder side portions 11a and 11b may be swung out of engagement with each other, whereby keys having holes in their ends, such as automobile ignition lock keys, and door 'lock keys of similar type, may be inserted on the key shank member -11b-3, slid therefrom onto the free portion of the elongated side member 11b-1 beyond the back member 11b-2, after which the holder side portions -1-1aandf11b are allowed to swing into engagement with each other, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, when the holed ends of thekeys r'nayth'en he .slid on to the interengaged shank members 1111-3 and 1111-3, thereby locking the .intere'ngag'ed shank members, and preventing separable swinging of the key holder side portions 11a and 11b.

'Preferablyas shown, the holderside portion lla mounts key clamp means in theform of an L-spring 13 which includes a long -leg member 13-1 extending angularly from the apex end ofthe back member 1161-2 and the adjacent end of the side member Ila-1 to a location of the outer extremity of the'long leg member 13-1 adjacent the inner corner between the side member 1112-1 and the shank member 11b-3.

The L-spring 13 also includes a short leg'member 13-2 which extends along the inside of a short extension 1111- of the side member Ila-1 of the holder side portion 11a, said extension Ila-5 extendingbeyond the apex end of the back memberlla-Z towards the apex end of the back member 11b-2, and a connector 14 joins the L-spring short leg member 13-2 to the side member extension Ila-5.

Preferably, according to the present invention and discovery, all of the members of the portions 11a and 11b of the improved key holder lti are formed in a one-piece blank 15 as shown in Fig. 4, which is'formed to the final shape and arrangement of the several individual members, by bends made on the dash lines on the blank15 as shown in Fig. 4.

A second embodiment of the improved key holder of the present invention or discovery is illustrated in Figs. 5 to 9, and indicated generally by 110. The improved key holder 110 has a shape which is generally that of a rectangular box, and includes a side portion 111a and a side portion 11112 which are swingable with respect to each other, and which interengage with each other, as hereinafter described in detail.

The holder side portion 111a includes an elongated side member 111a-1 which, as shown, is in the form of an elongated fiat strip, one portion of which extends at right angles from a side edge of a shorter rectangular back member 11111-2, which has one end located adjacent the mid-portion of the elongated side member 11111-1.

Beyond the rectangular back member 11111-2, there extends from one side edge of the elongated side member 11111-1, a transverse key holding shank member 11111-3 which, as shown, is in the form of a flat strip having the same transverse cross section as the elongated side member 111a-1, the wider faces of the flat strip members 11111-1 and 11114-3, and also the edges thereof being perpendicular to each other.

From the outer endof the transverse key holding shank member Illa-3, there extends a stop member 11111-4 which is in the form of an extension of the member Illa-3 and bent at right angles thereto.

At its side edge opposite and parallel to the side edge connected with the side member Illa-1, the back plate 11111-2 is formed with a hinge plate member Illa-6, which as shown is a longitudinally extending flange parallel with the side member Illa-1.

The holder side portion 111 b includes an elongated side member 11117-1 which, as shown, is in the form of an elongated flat strip, and from one end of which extends a transverse key holding shank member 111b-3 which, as shown, is also in the form of a fiat strip having the same transverse cross section as the side member 111b-1, the wider faces of the flat strip members 11117-1 and 111b-3 and also the edges thereof being perpendicular to each other, and having the same width as the members 111a-1 and 11111-3.

The end of the member 111b-1 opposite the end from which the shank member 11112-3 extends, isin the form of an offset hinge plate member 111b-5 which abuts the inner end of the hinge plate member '111a-6, and is 'connected thereto by a hinge pin 112.

In the normal closed position of the interengaging holder side portions 111 a and 111b, the outer wider face of the key shank member 111b-3 abuts against the inner wider face of the key shank member Illa-3, andthe lock hook member 11111-4 hooks over the outer end of the side member 11112-1, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

Preferably as shown, the holder side .portion 111a mounts key clamp-means in the form of an L'sprin'g 113 which includes a long leg member 113-1 extending angularly from the outer end of the back member Illa-2 and the adjacent end of the "side member 11111-1 to a location of the outer extremity of the long leg member 113-1 adjacent-the stop member Illa-4.

The L-spring 113 also includes a short leg member 113-2 which extends along the insideofa short extension Illa-5 of the side member 111a-1 of the holder side portion 111a,-said extension 1-11a-5 extending alongside of the outer edge of the backmember 111a-2 towards the hinge plate member Illa-6, and a connector 114 joins the L-spring short leg member-113-2 to'the side member extension Illa-5.

Preferably,- according to the present invention and discovery,-all-of themembers of the portion 111a of the improved key holder are formed in a one-piece blank 115 as shown in Fig. 8, which is' formed to the final shape and arrangement of-the -several individual members, by bends made on the dash lines on the blank 115 as shown in Fig. 8.

Similarly, all of the members of the portion 11 1b of the improved 'key' holder 110 are formed in a one-.piece blank 116 'as shown in Fig. 9'which 'is formed to the final shape and arrangement of the several individual amass members, by bends made on thedash lines on the blank 116 as shown, in -Fig. 9.

A'third embodiment of the improved key holder of the present invention or discovery isillustrated in Figs. 10 to 13 inclusive, and indicated generally by 210. The improved key holder 210 has a shape which is generally that of a rectangular box, and includes a side portion 211a and aside portion 211b which are swingable with respect to each other, and which interengage with each other as hereinafter described in detail. The holder side portion 211a includes an elongated side member 211a-1 which, as shown, is in the form of an elongated flat strip, one portion of which extends at right angles from the side edge of a shorter rectangular backrnember 211a-2 which has one end located adjacent the mid-point of the elongated side member 211a-1.

Beyond the rectangular back member 211a-2, there extends from one side face of the elongated side member 211a-1, a transverse key holding shank member 211a-3 which, as shown, is in the form of a fiat strip having the same transverse cross section as the elongated side member 21111-1,- the wider faces of the flat strip members 211a-1 and 211a-3 and also the edges thereof being perpendicular to each other.

From the outer end of the transverse key holding shank member 211a-3 there extends astop member 211a-4 which is in the form of an extension of the member 211a-3 and bent at right angles thereto.

At its side edge opposite and parallel to the side edge connected with the side member 211a-1, the back plate tends along the inside of a short extension 211a- 5 of the side member 21112-1 of the holder side portion 211a said extension 211a-5 extending alongside of the outer edges of the back member 21111-2 and 21117-2, and rivet connectors 214 join the L-spring short leg member 213-2 to the side member extension 211a-5.

Preferably, according to the present invention and discovery, all of the members of the portion 211a of the improved key holder 210 are formed in a one-piece blank,

211a-2 is formed with a hinge plate member 21111-6 which, as shown, is a short flange parallel with the side member 211a-1.

The holder side portion 1211b includes an elongated side member 211b-1 which, as shown, is in the form of an elongated flat strip, one portion of which extends at right angles from a side edge of a shorter rectangular back member 21111-2 which has one end located adjacent the mid-portion of the elongated side member 211b-1.

Beyond the rectangular back member 211b-2, there extends from one end of the side member 211b-1 a transverse key holding shank member 21112-3, which as shown is in the form of a flat strip having the same transverse cross section as the side member 211b-1, the wider faces of the fiat strip members 211b-1 and 211b-3 and also the edges thereof being perpendicular to each other, and having the same width as the members 211a-1 and 21111-3. From the outer end of the transverse key holding shank member 21111-3 there extends a lock hook member 211b-4, which is an extension of the member 211b-3 and bent at right angles thereto.

At its side edge opposite and parallel to the side edge connected with the side portion 211b-1, the back plate 211b-2 is formed with a hinge plate member 21111-5 which, as shown, is a short flange parallel with the side member 211b-1.

The holder side portion 211a and the holder side portion 211b have their hinge plate members 211a-6 and 211b-5 abutting each other and connected with each other by hinge pin 212.

In the normal closed position of the interengaged holder side portions 211a and 211b, the inner wider face of the key shank member 211b-3 abuts against the outer wider face of the key shank member 211a-3, and the lock hook member 211b-4 hooks over the outer end of the side member 211a-1 as shown in Figs. 10, 11, and 13.

Preferably as shown, the holder side portion 211a mounts key clamp means in the form of an L-spring 213 which includes a long leg member 213-1 extending angularly from the outer end of the back member 211a -2 and the adjacent end of the side member 21111-1 to a location of the outer extremity of the long leg member 213-1 adjacent the stop member 211a-4. The L-spring 213 also includes a short leg member 213-2 which exnot shown.

Similarly, all of the members of the portion 211b of the improved key holder 210 are formed in a one-piece blank, not shown.

It is noted that each of the key holders, 10, 110, and 210, thus includes two laterally spaced longitudinally extending side members, a hinge connection between the side members, each side member having a key holding shank member extending towards the other side member, the key holding shank members extending alongside each other preferably in parallel side-by-side aligned engagement or abutment in their closed position, and being swingable to open positions in which the shanks are spaced from each other, whereby one of the shanks of each key holder may be inserted into the hole of one or more keys, each key being then slid from the shank onto the free portion of the connecting elongated side member, after which the side members and shanks are swung to the closed position with the shanks in side-by-side alignment with each other, and then the holed ends of the keys are slid onto the aligned side-by-side shank members, the aligned side-by-side shank members being locked by the key ends located thereon and being prevented from swinging to the open position.

In the key holders, 10, and 210, there are furthermore preferably provided, respectively, lock hook members Ila-4, Illa-4, and 211b-4, each lock hook member being on the end of one of the shank members, each lock hook member in the closed position of the holder members, hooking over an outer end portion of the other elongated side member at the corner junction of the other elongated side member and the other shank member.

Moreover, the key holders, 10, 110 and 210, include, respectively, the springs 13, 113 and 213, each ofwhich functions to maintain the holed key ends in spring-pressed abutment with each other and the elongated side member opposite the spring, thereby attaining certain of the objects of the invention.

Each of the key holders, 10, 110 and 210, has each and all of the above set forth characteristics required for a satisfactory key holder, and thus attain the stated objects of the invention.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding, but no unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirements of the prior art, because such words are used for descriptive purposes herein and are intended to be broadly construed.

Moreover, the embodiments of the improved constructuion illustrated and described herein are by Way of example, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the exact details of construction.

Having now described the invention, the construction, the operation and use of preferred embodiments thereof, and the advantageous new and useful results obtained thereby; the new and useful constructions, and reasonable mechanical equivalents thereof obvious: to those skilled in the art, are set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Key holder construction including two laterally spaced =longitudinally extending side members, a hinge connection between the side members, each side member mounting a key holding shank member extending angularly from the side member towards the other side member, the side members with the shank. members being swingable about the hinge connection between a closed position of the shank members and an open position of the shankmembers, each key holding shank member extending'in sidediyaside alignment with the other in the closed position and being spaced from the other in the open position of the shank members, whereby one or more keys each having a holed end may have one of the shank members inserted in the holed end of each key, and each key may be moved onto one of the side members, and whereby in the closed position of the shank members each key may be moved onto the side-by-side shank members thereby locking the side members against opening movement, and one of the side members having a back member extending laterally therefrom towards the other side member, the back member having an end adjacent to and spaced from the shank member on the side member mounting the back member.

2 Key holder construction as set forth in claim 1, and in which one of the shank members has a lock hook member extending angularly therefrom and engaging the other side member in the closed position of the members.

3. Key holder construction as set forth in claim 1, and in which a'flat spring'is located between the side members and has a connection with one of the side members and extends towards the other side member, said other side member being the side member receiving and mounting the keys in the open position of the members, whereby in the closed position of the members the keys on the de-.by-side shank members e es d by he sprin toward the other side member.

4. Key holder construction as set forth in claim 1, and in which a back member extends laterally from the other side member and each side member includes a free portion which extends longitudinally from its back member, and in which the shank member on each side member extends from the free portion of the side member, and in which each back member mounts a part of the hinge connection. r

5. Key holder construction as set forth in claim 4, and in which each side member and the shank member and the back member extending therefrom is formed from a single piece of sheet metal.

6. Key holder construction as set forth in claim 5, and in which all the members and the hinge connection are formed from a single piece of sheet metal.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 66,303 Creuzbaur July 2, 1 867 435,151 McDonald Aug. 26, 1890 959,317 De Rochemont May 24, 19:10

1,409,928 Clark Mar. 21, 192; 1,619,582 Long Mar. 1, 1-927 1,649,402 Gildemeister Nov. 15, 1 927 1,779,621 Moore Oct. 28, 1930 sexy 

